In the last decade, Illinois’ economy and the economies of neighboring states have gone in opposite directions, with more people now working in Wisconsin and Indiana combined.

Newly released Illinois jobs report points to anemic jobs growth and a contracting labor force.

Illinois had the highest black unemployment rate of any state at the end of 2016, holding that distinction for six consecutive quarters, according to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. The Land of Lincoln also has the largest gap between its white and black unemployment rates.

New Illinois jobs data reveal a state with thousands of job losses, unemployment rising to 5.7 percent, a collapsing manufacturing sector, and several downstate communities sliding back into recession — all of which make the Illinois Senate’s new tax hike proposal especially harmful.

Since the beginning of 2015, Illinois has lost 14,100 manufacturing jobs.

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Illinois’ professional and business services sector has fared better than the state’s manufacturing industry, which recorded 800 job losses in September.

Nearly half of respondents said they would like to leave the state, including almost two-thirds of millennials.

Government jobs growth continues while Illinois’ private sector suffers from burdensome taxes and regulations.

Manufacturing weakness driving Illinois unemployment up; dropout and out-migration driving unemployment down.

The month of June saw Illinois continue to lose jobs, as the state’s long-term economic woes continue to push workers out of the state.